Furanose

Furanose

Structure of Beta-D-Fructofuranose

Furanose refers to a class of monosaccharides that contain a five-membered ring system consisting of four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. This ring structure is similar to that of furan, a heterocyclic organic compound, hence the name "furanose."

Structure

Furanoses are characterized by their five-membered ring, which is formed when the hydroxyl group on the fourth carbon atom reacts with the carbonyl group, typically an aldehyde or ketone, within the same molecule. This intramolecular reaction results in a hemiacetal or hemiketal linkage, depending on whether the original carbonyl group was an aldehyde or a ketone, respectively.

The ring structure of furanoses can exist in different anomeric forms, designated as alpha (α) or beta (β), depending on the orientation of the hydroxyl group attached to the anomeric carbon. In the β-anomer, the hydroxyl group is on the same side as the CH2OH group, while in the α-anomer, it is on the opposite side.

Examples

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Structure of Ribofuranose

Common examples of furanoses include ribose and fructose in their furanose forms. Ribose, a component of ribonucleic acid (RNA), often exists in a furanose form known as ribofuranose. Similarly, fructose, a common sugar found in many plants, can cyclize to form a furanose ring, known as fructofuranose.

Biological Significance

Furanoses play a crucial role in biology, particularly in the structure of nucleic acids. The furanose form of ribose is a key component of RNA, where it forms the backbone of the RNA strand by linking with phosphate groups. The flexibility and conformational properties of the furanose ring are important for the function of RNA in various biological processes, including protein synthesis and gene expression.

In addition to their role in nucleic acids, furanoses are also involved in various metabolic pathways. For example, fructofuranose is an intermediate in the glycolysis pathway, where it is phosphorylated to form fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, a key step in the breakdown of glucose for energy production.

Related Pages

• Pyranose
• Monosaccharide
• Carbohydrate
• Nucleic acid